htpc stereo analog question?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Another question for you Digital Gurus!

So we've established that I'll be able to connect my PC's Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard to my preamp for .flac playback through my system. Sweet.

What if I had a dedicated SACD player connected in my 2CH system...would the internal DAC of that be fine? Or would I need a dedicated standalone DAC to maximize its performance? I ask as I may be able to get a HK DVD-48 at a good price.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Another question for you Digital Gurus!

So we've established that I'll be able to connect my PC's Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard to my preamp for .flac playback through my system. Sweet.

What if I had a dedicated SACD player connected in my 2CH system...would the internal DAC of that be fine? Or would I need a dedicated standalone DAC to maximize its performance? I ask as I may be able to get a HK DVD-48 at a good price.

Budget? It depends, if you have a functioning SACD player connected to your 2 channel ...stay there, because if you got into the external DAC, you would need one that can handle DSD, DSX, and DSF files natively. Now you're talking about a little coin (depending on your budget).

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Another question for you Digital Gurus!

So we've established that I'll be able to connect my PC's Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard to my preamp for .flac playback through my system. Sweet.

What if I had a dedicated SACD player connected in my 2CH system...would the internal DAC of that be fine? Or would I need a dedicated standalone DAC to maximize its performance? I ask as I may be able to get a HK DVD-48 at a good price.

My opinion John is that by going stereo analog out into your preamp you will experience excellent quality playback, the DVD 48 can only play SACDs through analog anyways, I believe it was before HDMI 1.2. Once you have a dedicated player, the first huge step is done, remember many folk are very happy with their low cost Sony BD players, so while I'm not saying you wouldn't get better sound with a DAC or an expensive player like the Oppo 105, Cambridge 751, the point of diminishing returns IMO is fairly low on these. You can get an Azur 751 for around $800 new and these are solid analog players. Past that you get into refinement.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

My opinion John is that by going stereo analog out into your preamp you will experience excellent quality playback, the DVD 48 can only play SACDs through analog anyways, I believe it was before HDMI 1.2. Once you have a dedicated player, the first huge step is done, remember many folk are very happy with their low cost Sony BD players, so while I'm not saying you wouldn't get better sound with a DAC or an expensive player like the Oppo 105, Cambridge 751, the point of diminishing returns IMO is fairly low on these. You can get an Azur 751 for around $800 new and these are solid analog players. Past that you get into refinement.

Agreed.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

Budget? It depends, if you have a functioning SACD player connected to your 2 channel ...stay there, because if you got into the external DAC, you would need one that can handle DSD, DSX, and DSF files natively. Now you're talking about a little coin (depending on your budget).

Originally Posted by pentatonic

My opinion John is that by going stereo analog out into your preamp you will experience excellent quality playback, the DVD 48 can only play SACDs through analog anyways, I believe it was before HDMI 1.2. Once you have a dedicated player, the first huge step is done, remember many folk are very happy with their low cost Sony BD players, so while I'm not saying you wouldn't get better sound with a DAC or an expensive player like the Oppo 105, Cambridge 751, the point of diminishing returns IMO is fairly low on these. You can get an Azur 751 for around $800 new and these are solid analog players. Past that you get into refinement.

Thanks guys...you've answered my question. I'll just hook it up as per your previous advice and leave it at that. I just want some versatility and be able to play a few discs now and again, so this will do the trick.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Thanks guys...you've answered my question. I'll just hook it up as per your previous advice and leave it at that. I just want some versatility and be able to play a few discs now and again, so this will do the trick.

Hi John, this is my take on it. With the gear you have I firmly believe you ll be very happy. Your speakers excel with huge dynamic range, offers awesome dynamics, have superb instrument separation and to top it off are so well balanced so speakers: (√). You have an amp that can power them appropriately, so amp: (√). You have a good quality quiet analog preamp, so preamp: (√). The possible DVD 48 is a good player (like you I just learned which DACs it uses, so another (√) ), it s really a dedicated player, so player: (√).

You will thank us later, oh and John? Welcome to the dark side

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Hi John, this is my take on it. With the gear you have I firmly believe you ll be very happy. Your speakers excel with huge dynamic range, offers awesome dynamics, have superb instrument separation and to top it off are so well balanced so speakers: (√). You have an amp that can power them appropriately, so amp: (√). You have a good quality quiet analog preamp, so preamp: (√). The possible DVD 48 is a good player (like you I just learned which DACs it uses, so another (√) ), it s really a dedicated player, so player: (√).

You will thank us later, oh and John? Welcome to the dark side

It'll be fun to have an alternate way of playing music through my rig.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

I'm trying to find an Audioengine W1 for my setup (pc/gear in different rooms). Seems like it would work well, but it's tough finding them. There is a W3, but it is a bit expensive (for me), and I don't see the benefit over the W1.

http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-W1...audioengine+w1

http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-W3...audioengine+w1

[tangmu]

Very Thank you for your news, to look forward to your once again update by ah